Football

Offense Scores Six Touchdowns, Defense Comes up with Three Turnovers in Scrimmage

Aug 18, 2012

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Quarterbacks Garrett Safron and Nolan Sorensen combined for 271 passing yards and three touchdowns to lead the offense and the defense was sparked by three forced turnovers during Sacramento State's first scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday at Hornet Stadium.

Safron helped the first team offense get off to a good start, orchestrating a 12-play, 70-yard drive on the first series of the game. During the drive, the sophomore completed 5-of-7 pass attempts and also rushed six yards. Safron hit sophomore DeAndre Carter for 11 yards and 3rd-and-9 and later found redshirt freshman Shane Harrison on 3rd-and-4 to keep the team moving. The drive was capped by a 4-yard run from senior A.J. Ellis.

The defense earned its first turnover three series later when Safron's pass was deflected at the line of scrimmage and intercepted by linebacker Jeff Badger. The senior returned the pick 53 yards to take the ball to the 15-yard line before being brought down.

Following a 40-yard field goal from junior Edward Ruhnke, Sorensen posted two quick scores. His first touchdown pass was a short route to sophomore Chris Broadnax who was freed by a block from receiver Justin Cox which led to a 45-yard touchdown. The second came just two plays later when Sorensen lofted a ball to the front corner of the end zone where Cox was able to make the catch despite a pass interference penalty on the defense.

Broadnax and Sorensen hooked up again for a 25-yard touchdown later in the scrimmage.

The defense posted its second big play in between scoring drives. The offense started at the defense's 25-yard line and drove the ball to the 2-yard line behind the running of junior Ezekiel Graham. However, the defense thwarted Graham on the first three plays setting up 4th-and-goal from the 1. The offense went back to Graham but he was stripped by Badger and the ball was recovered by Matt Lawrence in the end zone.

The final turnover came late in the scrimmage when redshirt freshman quarterback Collin Burnett rolled around the left side for a first down run but lost the ball on a swipe from Darnell Sankey which was grabbed by Brendan Royal.

Ruhnke made all five of his extra point attempts (including a few from well beyond the standard distance) as well as his 40-yarder. He did come up short on a 52-yarder and had an attempt blocked by Markell Williams.

Safron finished 13-of-21 for 133 yards while Sorensen completed 6-of-12 passes for 138 and three touchdowns. Safron was also the team's leading rusher with 27 yards. Graham added 22 and De'jon Coleman contributed 17.

Blake Robertson caught a team high four passes for 46 yards. Broadnax made the most of his two catches, tallying 70 yards and a pair of touchdowns.